Stay Focused

INTRO

INSTAGRAM BOYFRIENDS

ARNOLD PALMER

Illustration 3

BODY

Colossians 1:15–20 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Let’s Focus on Jesus

Jesus is the Creator God (Verses 15-16)

“the image of the invisible God”

God IS good.

“creator of all things”

The God we are told about in Genesis IS Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus holds it all together (Verse 17)

This text reminds us that we are NOT in ultimately control.

Complete control over any situation is a false reality

Jesus is the leading His Church (Verse 18)

Jesus is leading His people. He is leading His church.

This hits home because most of the evil movements in earth’s history were spearheaded by so-called “Christians”.

Countless people today are leaving the “Church”.

HOW WILL PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE ARE DISCIPLES OF JESUS??

LOVE. It leads well into the last portion of this text...

Jesus has brought Himself near to you (Verse 19-20)

The Creator God, so driven by His love, took on the form of a human to reconcile Himself to to you.

CONCLUSION

Colossians 1:21–23 ESV

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full, in His wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace”

THIS WEEK

When you feel yourself worrying and being anxious, STAY FOCUSED ON JESUS

When you feel yourself growing impatient with others and yourself, STAY FOCUSED ON JESUS.

When you feel overwhelmed by the weight of grief, STAY FOCUSED ON JESUS.

When the darkest of thoughts swarm your mind, STAY FOCUSED ON JESUS.